How to Coach Yourself and Others Popular Models for Coaching | Page 175

Furthermore the Skilled Helper remains in a state of external sensory awareness and retains an awareness of their coachee's non-verbal communications. Effective Listening - SOLER Effective listening is key to being a Skilled Helper. It consists of various skills, which Egan covers with the acronym: SOLER. S. O. L. E. R. If it suits them, face the coachee Squarely Maintain an Open Posture with the coachee. Lean towards the coachee (as appropriate). Maintain appropriate Eye Contact with the coachee. Be a Relaxed helper as by doing so you greatly improve the quality and comfort of the sessions. Active Listening & Empathy Active Listening is a key skill for any coach. It consists in concentrating on the coachee's non-verbal and verbal communication and relating them to the coachee’s story. Non-verbal communication expressions, reactions, etc. includes body language, Verbal communication articulates the coachee's experiences, behaviours and feelings. The Coach encourages the coachee to stick to the point (what is relevant), they are non-judgemental and they are Empathic rather than sympathetic. Appropriate Empathy is a state of human interaction in which the helper enters and understands the coachee's perspective, whilst getting in touch with their thoughts and feelings. However, in this the helper remains rational in their understanding of the coachee's situation and reality. 177